State of the ART(ist) and Digital Deal Award 2024

• More about the initiative State of the ART(ist) & Virtual Art Gallery
• To the Open Call
• More about the European Digital Deal
• Press release as PDF

(Vienna/Linz, April 15, 2024) The State of the ART(ist) initiative, launched in 2022 by the Austrian Foreign Ministry and Ars Electronica in response to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, honours artists from all over the world whose artistic freedom is restricted by political, social or ecological threats. In 2024, two main prizes of 3,000 euros each and eight Honorary Mentions (750 euros each) will once again be awarded.

The submission platform is open from today until May 20, 2024. The submissions will also be eligible for the Digital Deal Award.

“The brutal war of aggression against Ukraine and the repression against artists in Russia show that freedom of artistic expression cannot be taken for granted everywhere.
Together with Ars Electronica, we are sending a signal of solidarity and offering artists a space for their work that is denied to them elsewhere. In this way, we are creating an international platform to strengthen freedom of expression.”

Alexander Schallenberg, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria

“With State of the ART(ist), we want to honour artists who do not give up in the face of so many crises around the world but continue to fight and do everything they can to make a better future a reality. Their ideas and concepts, but above all their courage and will to act, are a source of inspiration and hope for us all.”

Gerfried Stocker, Artistic Director of Ars Electronica.

Visibility through State of the ART(ist)

Oppression, lack of freedom of expression, political persecution, acts of war, exploitation, climate change and natural disasters have a serious impact on the artistic work of individuals. People who take a stance through artistic approaches despite (or precisely because of) the precarious situation are invited to take advantage of the State of the ART(ist) Open Call. The initiative ensures the visibility of the works and an exchange with inspiring personalities from the international art scene.

For all art forms

Submission is open to all art disciplines: (Collective) works, projects and actions at the interface of art and human rights are eligible. A jury of experts will decide on the winners of the State of the ART(ist) Awards.

Ars Electronica Festival and Virtual Art Gallery

The award-winning projects will be presented in September at the Ars Electronica Festival in Linz (4-8 September 2024) and as part of the Ars Electronica Virtual Art Hall.

The aim is to offer the award-winning artists a long-term opportunity to present their work and portray grievances.

Digital Deal Award: Technology & Democracy

All submissions to the State of the ART(ist) open call are also eligible for the Digital Deal Award. Funded by the European Digital Deal initiative and organised by Ars Electronica, the award will recognise art projects that address new technologies and their impact on democracy and freedom of expression. The Digital Deal Award is endowed with 2,000 euros.

Background knowledge on State of the ART(ist)

State of the ART(ist) was jointly launched in 2022 by Ars Electronica and the Austrian Austrian Foreign Ministry – at the time as a reaction to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and as an expression of solidarity with and support for artists in Ukraine. In 2023, the Open Call was launched again; this time for artists worldwide who are unable to carry out their work or are barely able to do so visibly due to political or social circumstances. So far, 20 projects have been supported and funded.

Background knowledge on the European Digital Deal

The Digital Deal Award is supported by the European Digital Deal – a three-year investigation into how the accelerated, yet at times unconsidered adoption of new technologies can change or undermine democratic processes. European Digital Deal is co-funded by the EU’s Creative Europe programme (2021-2027) and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport.